BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY – The NAST PHL will conduct four (4) activities in Northern Philippines for the month of May. These are 1) Scienteach: Symposium for the Youth in Batanes Province, 2) Training-Workshop on Writing and Presenting Research Proposals towards Building Science Culture, 3) Regional Scientific Meeting in Luzon, and 4) Scienteach: Symposium for the Youth in Cordillera Administrative Region.

After the successful conduct of Scienteach: Symposium for the Youth in Davao and Eastern Visayas last April 11 and April 25, respectively, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Offices will again hold two (2) Scienteach: Symposium for the Youth in the north for the month of May.

The ScienTeach: Symposium for the Youth started in 2016 as part of the 40th Anniversary of NAST PHL. The ScienTeach was adopted as a virtual Symposium for the Youth in the year 2020 to continue its service during the pandemic. It is a collection of episodes that highlights varying topics featuring National Scientists, NAST Members, and its awardees who are accomplished in their respective fields. Its objectives are to promote science and technology, bring our scientists closer to the youth, and inspire and encourage students to pursue a career in science and technology. This event is open to all junior and senior high school students.

The first activity will be held in partnership with DOST-Region II on May 10, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Batanes Province. Six (6) distinguished scientists are invited to the event as resource speakers to share their knowledge and experiences in their respective fields of expertise. They are National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz, Academician Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., Academician Alvin B. Culaba, Academician Jose Maria P. Balmaceda, Academician Mudjekeewis D. Santos, and Dr. Merlyn S. Mendioro.

The program will be participated by Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, Undersecretary for DOST-Regional Operations, Academician Jaime C. Montoya, President of NAST PHL, Ms. Luningning E. Samarita-Domingo, Director of NAST PHL, Ms. Virginia G. Bilgera, Regional Director of DOST Region II, and Mr. Alfredo B. Gumaru, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd Division Office of Batanes.

The second activity will be held in partnership with DOST-Cordillera Administrative Region on May 20, 2022, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Baguio City. Eight (8) distinguished scientists will share their knowledge, experiences, and expertise in their respective fields as resource speakers. They are National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz, National Scientist Raul V. Fabella, Academician Camilo C. Roa Jr., Academician Jaime C. Montoya, Academician Cristina J. Montiel, Dr. Ronnie E. Baticulon, Dr. Maria Ruth B. Pineda-Cortel, and Dr. Raymond Francis R. Sarmiento.

This will also be participated by Dr. Estela L. Cariño, Regional Director of DepEd-CAR, and Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, Regional Director of DOST-CAR.
On May 11-12, 2023, NAST PHL will also conduct the Training-Workshop on Writing and Presenting Research Proposals towards Building Science Culture (Module 1) to be held in Batanes Province in cooperation with DOST-Regional Office II and the Outstanding Young Scientists, Inc. (OYSI).

The program is part of the Research Upgrading and Performance Evaluation (RUPE) project of NAST PHL, which aims to improve the productivity and the international visibility of the country's science and technology community. It also aims to make an impact in the field of research and development by creating an exchange of ideas from different expertise and collaborations in the scientific community to upgrade the quality of research, scientific outputs, and publications.

The program will be participated by Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, Undersecretary for DOST-Regional Operations, Academician Jaime C. Montoya, President of NAST PHL, Academician Jose Maria P. Balmaceda, Secretary of the NAST PHL Executive Council, Ms. Luningning E. Samarita-Domingo, Director of NAST PHL, and National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz.

The discussants are Academician Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., Academician Mudjekeewis D. Santos, Dr. Maribel L. Dionisio-Sese, and Dr. Merlyn S. Mendioro.

Participants are expected to present their outputs and proposals to the Panel of Experts. This aims to build the capacity of young and aspiring researchers in preparing good quality and highly competitive research proposals.

Lastly, as part of the 2023 Regional Scientific Meetings (RSMs) with the theme “Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Demokrasya (Science and Technology for Democracy), the NAST PHL will conduct the RSM Luzon on May 17-18 in Baguio City with the Social Sciences and Health Sciences as host divisions.

The RSMs are annually organized as part of the NAST PHL’s and DOST’s long-standing commitment of bringing science closer to the Filipino people. The RSMs, which will be held for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao island clusters, are expected to provide a venue for the discussion of relevant and timely regional concerns, and the presentation of S&T-based recommendations.

For more details, you may visit the NAST PHL official Facebook page, @nastphl.